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Before we continue ahead to discuss the accessibility standards, it is important to understand the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. So, let’s get started!

AODA, or Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, establishes the process for developing and applying accessibility standards. The standards are developed in collaboration with people with disabilities and industry groups, as well as the government.

The government is responsible for developing accessibility criteria that organizations must meet under the AODA. Implementing and enforcing these standards will enable us to collaborate in making Ontario more accessible and inclusive by 2025.

Accessibility Standards under AODA

Accessibility standards are rules that must be followed by the government, corporations, non-profits, and public sector organizations in order to become more accessible for the common public, especially for the visually impaired.

They assist organizations in identifying and removing barriers in five areas of daily life to increase accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Such standards act as the foundation stone for ensuring the accessibility of all in the public spaces.

Design of Public Spaces Standard

The AODA’s design of public spaces standard specifies that newly created or redeveloped public places must be accessible to people with disabilities. The Design of Public Places Standard outlines methods for making common places more accessible. For example, there are accessibility requirements for:

• Recreational trails and beach access routes

• Public eating areas like rest stops or picnic areas

• Outdoor play spaces, like playgrounds in provincial parks and local communities

• Accessible parking (on and off the street)

• Office building lobbies

• Indoor stairs and ramps

• Cafeteria and lounge space

• Indoor public spaces of apartment buildings

• Outdoor paths of travel, like sidewalks, ramps, stairs, curb ramps, rest areas and accessible pedestrian signals

• Indoor play spaces and corridors

Ontario Building Code includes the accessibility rules for the indoor space, whereas the Design of Public Spaces Standard constitutes the guidelines for service-oriented elements like service counters, fixed queuing lines, and waiting areas with fixed seating.

The Design of Public Spaces Standard is applicable to -

• New spaces and buildings

• Existing spaces undergoing renovations

• Public sector organizations

• Private organizations with fifty or more workers

Private organizations with fewer than fifty employees are simply obligated to follow rules for accessible facilities -

• Recreational trails and beach access routes

• Accessible parking

• Service-related elements like service counters, fixed queuing lines, and waiting areas

• Maintenance and restoration of public spaces

Accessibility in Ontario’s Building Code

The Ontario Building Code sets the accessibility criteria for most new construction and major building renovations. These contain the following requirements:

• Barrier-free access paths of travel

• Fire safety devices

• Public washrooms

• Access to pools and saunas

• Seating in public spaces

The criteria apply to the majority of new construction and large renovations in Ontario, and they function in tandem with the Design of Public Spaces standard. Existing structures are unaffected unless major renovations are planned. Smoke alarm regulations apply to dwellings, including semi-detached houses, townhouses, and duplexes, but not to the majority of other accessibility standards.

Photoluminescent exit signs are popular for contractors, business owners, and building managers looking for an eco-friendly, code-compliant, and cost-effective way to mark emergency exits. Unlike traditional electric exit signs that require wiring and ongoing energy usage, photoluminescent signs absorb and store ambient light, emitting a glow in low or no light conditions to illuminate exit routes.

As per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Tactile Act in Canada, and Section 1024 of the International Building and Fire Codes, properly marked emergency exits are legally required in all public buildings to ensure the safety of all occupants. For business owners, photoluminescent exit signs offer an affordable solution that aligns with environmentally-conscious values. They contain non-toxic, rechargeable photoluminescent panels that charge themselves using existing light fixtures, eliminating the need for hardwiring or electricity.

The Actual Science Behind Photoluminescent Exit Signs

Photoluminescent exit signs work by absorbing and storing ambient light energy, which is emitted as a bright glow in low or no light conditions. They contain special non-toxic photoluminescent materials, typically zinc sulfide or strontium aluminate, that get charged through exposure to natural or artificial light sources.

Once charged, these materials emit the stored energy as a bright glow for extended dark periods. The illumination duration depends on the charging period, with longer exposure to light resulting in a glow lasting up to 7 hours on a single charge. The light emitted is a bright green that meets or exceeds requirements for emergency exit visibility, ensuring the signs can be seen even at a distance in smoky, chaotic conditions.

Benefits of Installing Photoluminescent Exit Signs and Why They're Effective?

Energy-Efficient

One of the biggest benefits of photoluminescent exit signs is their energy efficiency. By tapping into ambient light, they consume no electricity, saving business owners money on energy costs and reducing environmental impact. The signs only require surrounding ambient room lighting to charge, using energy that would otherwise be wasted, and they remain effective for up to 15 years without needing replacement.

Highly Durable

Photoluminescent exit signs are also highly durable, withstanding various environmental conditions. The photoluminescent material is non-toxic, moisture-resistant, and non-flammable. It will continue operating in very hot or wet environments, including outdoor areas exposed to the weather. The signs glow in complete darkness for up to eight hours after a charge, marking exits around the clock.

Reduces the Risk of Failure

An additional benefit is that photoluminescent exit signs eliminate the risk of failure during power outages. As they require no hardwiring or electricity, the signs remain fully illuminated even when the main power is disrupted. This ensures all occupants can easily spot exit routes to evacuate the building in an emergency.

Code-Compliant and Required by International Building Codes

Compliance with fire safety regulations and building codes incentivizes businesses to invest in photoluminescent exit signs. They meet the same strict standards as electric exit signs to properly guide occupants to safety in accordance with laws like the Ontario Fire Code. The bright green glow is also highly visible, capturing attention even at a distance in smoky, chaotic conditions. Did you know that according to Section 1024 of the International Building and Fire codes, all buildings are required to have luminous egress path markings installed? This includes the installation of photoluminescent exit signs, which are a great way to ensure that everyone can safely exit a building in case of an emergency.

To meet code compliance, all exit signs must be UL 924 certified, and this means that they have been rigorously tested and are guaranteed to perform when you need them most. So, whether you're a building owner, manager, or just a concerned citizen, it's important to make sure that your building is equipped with the right emergency lighting to keep everyone safe.

Photoluminescent Vs. Traditional Exit Signs

Whether battery-powered or hardwired, traditional exit signs provide illumination using a power source that requires ongoing maintenance and costs. The signs rely entirely on their power supply, consuming energy 24 hours daily to stay lit. Batteries must be regularly replaced, often within just 1-2 years, and hardwiring requires professional installation with associated labor fees. Energy usage continues even when exits are not in use, increasing utility costs over the signs' lifetime.

In contrast, photoluminescent exit signs are self-sustaining, absorbing, and re-emitting ambient light to provide bright illumination without any internal power source. They use special non-toxic, rechargeable materials that tap into existing overhead lighting and natural light from windows or skylights to charge. Once charged, they emit a glow for up to 7 hours, even in complete darkness. They require no wiring, batteries, or ongoing maintenance, saving time, money, and the environment.

Photoluminescent exit signs are also highly durable, withstanding heat, humidity, and other extreme conditions for up to 15 years without deterioration. Their non-toxic materials pose no health hazards and continue operating in wet or corrosive environments. Traditional signs, in comparison, often fail prematurely due to battery drain or electrical faults, requiring frequent replacement of components.

During an emergency like a fire or power outage, the reliability and performance of exit signs are critical. Photoluminescent signs provide continuous visibility even when main power is disrupted since they require no external power source. On the other hand, traditional signs may cease working in the event of a power failure, blackout, or distribution issue, putting occupants at risk in an already dangerous situation.

The Wrap

The choice is clear for business owners & contractors prioritizing reduced costs, improved sustainability, and enhanced emergency preparedness. Photoluminescent exit signs are a visibly better solution.

Though we believe that our audience is well-aware and knowledgeable, it is important to understand what being photoluminescent means to ensure that exact information is delivered. Any photoluminescent object emits light after absorbing photons (carries energy), and such an object does not require additional energy like electricity to light up.

The one differentiating factor distinguishing photoluminescent tactile solutions from others is the ability to ‘glow in the dark.’ During an emergency or unavailability of electricity, photoluminescent tactile solutions provide the safest pathway and reduce the risk of slips and trips.

In this article, we will discover how photoluminescent surface-applied anti-slip contrast strips help reduce slipping or tripping accidents.

What are Photoluminescent Contrast Strips for Stairs?

Photoluminescent Contrast Strips improve egress speed and visibility in all lighting conditions. In all conditions, Photoluminescent Tactile Strips for Stairs provide life-saving egress lighting. These strips ensure your building fulfils the code compliance without bothering the design.

The strips are charged by natural and artificial light & glow for hours after a power failure. The best is that these Photoluminescent Contrast Strips are easy to apply and install; all you need is a premium polyurethane adhesive.

Note - The photoluminescent contrast strips can be installed with mechanical fasteners, but do not use them while installing outdoors.

Engineered for Durability

When it comes to durability, Ecoglo’s Photoluminescent Tactile Warning Strip for stairs has no match—manufactured using Ecoglo’s patented process, which produces the most robust and highly efficient photoluminescent product available. The photoluminescent strips’ distinct ridges prevent them from most abrasive damage and provide slide resistance while making the product easy to clean.

The hard-wearing silicon carbide non-slip material is integrally bonded with the aluminum substrate. Thousands of people can walk on it without incurring wear and tear. The contrast strips' durability and strength ensure they can bear heavy loads, eventually reducing the chances of accidents.
 

Reliable Solution for Step-Edge Safety

Annually, there is an average of 12,000 deaths by stairway accidents. The statistics themselves are the statement on why keeping secure surroundings around staircases is essential. Considering the same, Photoluminescent Tactile Indicator Strips for stairs appear as the reliable solution.

The colour contrast of the non-slip material with advanced photoluminescent technology provides step-edge visibility under all light conditions. The unique ridges in the Ecoglo photoluminescent strips and the integrated anti-slip contrast strips ensure all-weather slip resistance. Trust Tactile Solution Canada as your go-to provider for Stair Tactile Warning Strips in Canada. Let’s make our surroundings code-compliant while providing the maximum accessibility.

CIBC Square is a stunning office complex with two office towers spanning over 3 million square feet. Undoubtedly, CIBC Square is setting the new standard for community in terms of innovation, transformation and accessibility. A perfect workspace, place to socialize and celebrate cuisine and culture, CIBC Square connects the Waterfront and Financial District, expanding and glorifying this stretch of Toronto.

CIBC SQUARE, a location for business, pleasure, and community, offers an unmatched experience in the heart of Toronto. This modern-marvel provides exceptional work environment equipped with modern-thinking features.

Annual Listening Sessions

It is really important to be empathetic towards your target audience to find the reliable solutions. The same goes with businesses and CIBC Square understands this in all sense.

“Listening exercises have focused on barriers created by remote and hybrid work, as well as concerns and considerations for return to work. Topics that are brought up during the listening exercises are leveraged to enhance our human capital strategy.”

The above statement is made by Claudette Knight, vice-president of workplace design and transformation at CIBC. Let’s go a little deeper.

CIBC hosts annual listening sessions to understand the constraints and barriers disable people face every day at the building premises.

Design of Public Spaces

An inclusive design strategy was created and applied to the whole CIBC campus, including-

• Employee space
• Conference & event centre
• Flagship banking centre

The design strategy fulfills the building code and industry standards for well-being, accessibility and inclusion by incorporating built-environment design principles that state the complete range of human diversity.

CIBC also incorporated accessibility elements across the structure that meets legislative requirements. Elevator destination dispatch with audio and visual indicators; accessible, all-gender washrooms on every floor; a relief area for service animals; and code-compliant tactile solutions on cautionary places and Braille signage for improved way-finding are among the features of the accessible CIBC campus.

All the new branches are built considering the accessibility needs of clients. CIBC, at a minimum, follows industry standards for all new branches, including the Barrier Free Design Standards and the Barrier Free Design for Automated Banking Machines that were established by Canadian Standards Association International.

The Canada’s Leading Accessibility Solutions Provider

One of our brands, a reliable tactile solutions provider, Kinesik has a major role in making CIBC Square the most accessible public and commercial space. We leverage the power of intelligent design and precision engineering. Our products enhance the quality of CIBC Square’s infrastructure and ensure safe passage and code-compliant exit signs.

Let’s see which products from the Kinesik’s arsenal made CIBC Square accessible.

Photoluminescent Floor/Stairwell Number Sign

Ensuring the safety of the building’s occupants is a top priority, and floor-level exit signs play a critical role in achieving this goal. The photoluminescent egress path marking system includes floor identification signs (FID) that enhance egress speeds and provide essential information for egress safety in CIBC Square.

Photoluminescent Handrail Strips

Photoluminescent handrail markings have been expertly engineered, and rigorously tested, to enhance both the ease and speed of egress for stairs with railings. Our handrail strips are versatile enough to fit in any space without distracting from the design of the CIBC Square building while providing an excellent handrail marking solution for CIBC’s infrastructure. 

They were proven to be highly resistant to UV/weathering, which helped reduce the building’s depreciation.

Photoluminescent - Slip-Resistant High Contrast Nosings

With unique ridges and integrated anti-slip contrast strips, these nosings ensure all-weather slip resistance making CIBC Square’s premises much more secure. Thanks to its leading-edge technology, it is a pioneer in the emerging supplemental (or passive) emergency lighting market.

Consider this fact - In the first 20 days of 2023, over 88 pedestrians were hit. Isn't this alarming? It gets a lot tougher for visually challenged people to avoid any kind of accident.

In order to avoid the risks and minimize fatal accidents, it is important that contractors, city planners, and property owners must do their bit to promote and maintain pedestrian safety.

But the question is, how can one really achieve the maximum safety level? Well, this blog covers the answer to the same question. Let's explore!

Detectable Warning Surface Solutions

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 states that applying detectable warning surfaces in public spaces is compulsory for accessibility solutions provider. But what are these detectable warning surfaces?

If you walk or take public transport to work, you've certainly noticed those raised truncated domes placed on the ground at intersections, rail platforms, and even closer to the bus stops. These tiles equipped with raised circles are known as detectable warning surfaces, and they inform persons who are completely blind or have low vision of this shift so they can be prepared in advance before passing a busy intersection.

How Can Detecting Warning Surfaces Improve Pedestrian Safety?

These curtailed dome tiles are installed to help visually impaired people to navigate and locate public spaces securely and confidently. The story doesn't end here; the detectable warning surfaces provide much more benefits to pedestrians.

Warns about Potential Hazards

Detectable warning surfaces are devised and installed to provide non-visual notice of impending hazards. Cast-in-place tiles are most typically observed at crossings for pedestrians, where they inform visually impaired individuals of the commencement onto a vehicle roadway. In a similar way, detectable warning surfaces erected on transit platforms warn pedestrians of the inclined drop into the tracks.

The detectable warning surfaces are erected at strategic spots in public spaces to draw pedestrians' attention, cautioning them to halt, analyze their environment, and move accordingly. The application of detecting warning surfaces is limited to the exterior use, these are used for internal use at escalator approaches, pedestrian crossings & top of stair landings/wheelchair ramps.

Slip-resistant Surface

Truncated domes give a tactile warning while providing a non-slip grip on the surface of detectable warning surfaces. In all weather conditions, the crucial microtexture on detectable warning surfaces adds another layer of pedestrian safety. The non-slip surface is specifically useful in sloped places like curbs and wheelchair ramps, allowing people to gain friction.

Brings Attention to the Surroundings

Our surroundings typically fade away when we focus on what is in front of our eyeline. However, detectable warning surfaces draw our attention due to the clearly-visible different surfaces felt underfoot. This becomes extremely crucial for visually challenged people as they must be extra cautious of their surroundings.

The visible shift in surface causes pedestrians to pause, analyze, and take in the surroundings before continuing. Such a call to attention is especially useful in stairwells, escalators, pedestrian crossings, and transportation platforms.

Wayfinding

It can be challenging to maneuver largely open spaces, such as concourse halls or hotel lobbies for people of all abilities, but especially for those with vision impairment. ISO Wayfinding bars tiles, which are frequently used in conjunction with truncated dome tiles, provide a tactile track that the visually handicapped may readily discover and follow.

Not only do detectable warning surfaces help the visually handicapped navigate a big open space, but they can also help individuals who do not have visual impairments. In an unfamiliar and difficult-to-navigate situation, the well-defined pathway can assist in guiding pedestrians to the main information desk or destination.

Pedestrian Safety is Crucial

Pedestrian safety is an important factor to consider while designing public or commercial spaces. While the lawful act of ADA requires the space to be completely safe for pedestrians, especially for visually challenged people, it becomes the unsaid responsibility of the contractors to ensure that the building designed under their scope and guidance should be 100% safe and secure.

Creating an inclusive environment that caters to people of all abilities is crucial in architecture and code-compliant tactile solutions prove to be of big help. However, the commonly held notion of accessibility is limited to physical disabilities like wheelchair users. Architects often envision accessibility as incorporating ramps, wide corridors, and elevators. But disability comes in many different forms, some of which may not be visible.

Therefore, accessibility in our surroundings involves much more than just accommodating wheelchair users. For instance, incorporating tactile elements in architecture and urban design can significantly improve the navigability of space for visually impaired people. In this blog, we dive into the world of tactile paving, discussing its various forms, historical significance, and how it can be implemented to create an inclusive environment.

What is Tactile Paving and Why Do We Need It?

Tactile paving refers to textured ground surface indicators that provide cues for navigation to the visually impaired. As per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act or AODA guidelines, tactile paving is required at pedestrian walkways, transit platforms, parking lots, interiors of apartment buildings, office buildings, malls, any public interior spaces, and other public spaces. The raised bumps and grooves in tactile pavers allow visually impaired persons to detect important navigational signals through their canes or underfoot.

A brief history of Tactile paving!

Back in 1965, a Japanese engineer named Seiichi Miyake invented tactile bricks to support his visually impaired friend. Little did he know that his invention would revolutionize the way we navigate our cities. Two years after its inception, Okayama City in western Japan became the first city to install tactile paving around the city.

Over time, it gained popularity and was widely adopted by the Japan National Railway within a decade. By 1985, it became mandatory for cities across Japan to install tactile paving. Today, the use of tactile bricks has spread beyond Japan, and they are now a common sight in cities all over the world. From Australia to the UK, the US, and Canada to many other countries, tactile paving has become an essential tool for the visually impaired to navigate their surroundings with greater ease and independence.

Tactile paving comes in a diverse range of types, each with its unique colors and markings that convey distinct meanings. Generally, these tiles are painted in bright hues to enhance visibility for partially sighted pedestrians. This is especially important as per the Americans with Disabilities Act, which mandates a color contrast of at least 70% between the tactile bricks and the surrounding pavement. In several countries, a bright yellow color is commonly used to serve this purpose.

How Is Tactile Paving Useful in Urban Planning & Design in Canadian Cities?

Tactile surfaces are an absolute game-changer for architecture and urban design. They are a lifeline for visually impaired individuals, allowing them to navigate the built environment with greater ease. It's important to note that the disability is not in the person but in the barriers present in the physical space.

Incorporating tactile surfaces into architectural design is crucial for improving accessibility. Architects should actively consult the accessibility guidelines of their own country or district to ensure these surfaces are integrated effectively. By following these guidelines, architects can transform functional products into added value for architectural design.

The best part? These inclusive projects, with their attention to detail, can significantly enhance the lives of all occupants. So, if you're designing a commercial building, incorporating tactile surfaces is a small yet impactful step toward creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment.

In Canada, tactile pavers address the serious issue of limited navigability and accessibility in many city public spaces for the visually impaired. These pavers guide blind or low-vision pedestrians to detect obstacles, wayfinding paths, transit platforms, crosswalks, interiors of apartment buildings, office buildings, malls, any public interior spaces, etc. For example, tactile pavers with uniform grooved bars indicate the path to the destination, raised bumps signal a stop like an intersection, and stair landings and staggered bumps indicate the edge. This helps solve the key problems of mobility and access in Canadian cities for persons with visual disabilities.

Active Paving for an Active Population

Canada has an aging population and the number of people with age-related visual impairments is growing. At the same time, Canadian cities are encouraging active, outdoor lifestyles with more pedestrian avenues, cycling infrastructure, and public transit, interiors of apartment buildings, office buildings, malls, any public interior spaces. Tactile paving is crucial to make these active transportation routes and public spaces accessible to visually impaired residents so they can maintain active lifestyles. With increasing awareness, many Canadian cities are now retrofitting public areas with tactile paving to enable visually impaired pedestrians.

The Wrap

With the right solutions and standards in place, tactile paving can help Canadian cities achieve goals of inclusion, accessibility, and active living for all. Companies like Tactile Solutions are key partners in paving the way. For more information on tactile paving solutions for your city or business, contact Tactile Solutions at https://www.tactilesolution.ca/solutions. Let's make infrastructure accessible and inclusive one step at a time.

Over 1.1 billion people in this world are suffering from some kind of visual impairment, ranging from minor issues to total blindness. As per the estimates, there are 500,000 blind or partially sighted Canadians.

With so many people suffering from visual impairments, we as a society have devised strategies to ensure that they have the same chances and societal respect as sighted people. One particularly useful & functional tool is a "tactile warning surface."

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)

As its name suggests, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a recognized law that establishes a developing process and implementing accessibility standards. There are three major stakeholders involved -

• Person with disabilities
• Industry representatives
• Government

All three work in tandem to develop accessibility standards. The government is accountable for developing accessibility criteria that organizations must meet under the AODA. Applying and practicing these standards will enable us to collaborate in making Ontario more accessible and inclusive by 2025. Though AODA is not limited to accessibility in public spaces, it advices the accessibility solutions provider to ensure the code-compliancy in public or commercial spaces. The law is diverse and covers accessibility standards for -

• Customer service
• Information and communications
• Transportation
• Employment

In this blog, we are particularly focusing on understanding the accessibility standards for public spaces. So, let's get it on!

Design of Public Spaces Standard

The AODA's Design of Public Spaces Standard states that newly created or refurbished public places must be accessible to people with visual disabilities. In simpler words, the Design of Public Spaces Standard informs about the solutions to make public spaces more safe and accessible, which includes-

• Recreational trails and beach access routes
• Apartments & residential buildings
• Outdoor public eating areas like rest stops or picnic areas
• Outdoor play spaces, like playgrounds in provincial parks and local communities
• Shopping malls
• Accessible parking (on and off the street)
• Outdoor paths of travel, like sidewalks, ramps, stairs, curb ramps, rest areas and accessible pedestrian signals

Ontario Building Code, which states the regulations for the constructed building in Ontario, covers the accessibility rules for indoor spaces. But in contrast to the Ontario Building Code, the Design of Public Spaces Standard incorporates the regulations for service-related spaces like servicing counters, queuing lines, waiting spaces with permanent seating and maintenance & restoration of public spaces.

Note - Why are we even discussing the ins and outs of the AODA Act? Answer - simply because it sheds light on the fact that some specific laws and guidelines make public spaces more accessible and safer. Discussing the AODA act also justifies the title of the blog! Since AODA is an established and recognized law, thus its guidelines must be followed, eventually making the tactile warning surfaces mandatory for all public spaces.

The Design of Public Spaces Standard is Applied to?

The standard is applicable to all latest spaces and buildings, and it also applies to existing spaces that are undergoing extensive modifications. Existing places that do not require extensive reconstruction, on the other hand, are exempt.

Furthermore, all of these types of space must be accessible to the public sector and private sector organizations with fifty or more employees. Private organizations with less than fifty employees, on the other hand, are merely needed to follow the accessibility rules:

• Trails for recreation and beach access
• Accessible parking
• Service counters, fixed queuing lines, and waiting spaces
• Maintenance and restoration of public spaces

Is The Design of Public Spaces Standard Even Required?

Public spaces are around us. We witness the public space the second we walk out of our homes to go somewhere, whether down the street to chit-chat with a neighbour, to the beach for a fun day with friends, to the grocery shop, parking lot, or the children’s playground. The Design of Public Spaces Standard takes us nearer to an area where all of these excursions are possible for everyone.

Tactile solutions are nothing less than a boon for people with vision loss. These promise accessibility and create accessible environments for people with vision loss. Simultaneously, understanding the proper use of tactile is extremely crucial.

Over 3% of Canadians aged 15 years and older, approximately 750,000 people, have disabilities that limit their daily activities. As per the 2012 Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD), 5.8% of the people under this age group are legally blind.

Considering such several visually challenged populations, it becomes extremely crucial to implement code-compliant tactile solutions for accessibility in public spaces.

This guide aims to cover the nitty-gritty of the setting tactile solutions and how these create accessible space for people with vision loss.

The Design Basics

Designing a tactile solution holds the utmost importance. The designers must consider four basic elements while designing an accessible environment for people with vision loss. Let’s discuss each.

Layout

It is extremely important to logically design public spaces such as street networks, transit facilities, stores, and shopping areas. Why? Doing so helps visually challenged people memorize the space and get familiar with it quickly and easily. Use a consistent, logical, and easy layout for the exterior and interior of any planned setting.

Lighting

Lighting is one of the essential guiding factors for visually challenged people. Lighting kinds, styles, and locations are determined for employing lighting to aid in wayfinding and orientation.

Colour or Brightness Contrast

The concept of colour and brightness contrast is vital in making environments safer and more usable for everyone, greatly impacting many elements within a constructed environment. Colour contrast should be employed between travel pathways and neighbouring ground surfaces.

Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSIs)

TWSIs, also known as detectable warning surfaces or tactile attention indicators, are standardized walking surfaces that provide information to those blind or visually impaired through texture and, in some cases, sound.

They are often created using inserts like metal, rubber, stone, or plastic or can be built directly into concrete ground surfaces. TWSIs should have a texture that is detectable with a long cane and can be felt underfoot. To reduce the possibility of tripping, their edges should be bevelled.

Some Guidelines about TWSIs

• TWSIs should be coloured differently from the surrounding walking surface. Safety yellow is the perfect colour for attention TWSIs.
• TWSIs should have bevelled edges when fitted as pre-manufactured panels or surface-mounted into an existing ground or floor surface.
• The TWSI panels’ base surface should be no more than three millimetres above the existing surface.

Types of TWSIs

Attention Tactile Walking Surface Indicators

Sometimes referred to as warning TWSIs, TWSIs draw attention to critical hazards such as the staircase’s beginning or the platform’s edge. Attention TWSIs should be circular, flat-topped, truncated domes or cones on a walking surface.

Let’s understand the specifications of attention TWSIs -

• Flat-topped truncated domes or cones, organized in a square grid pattern, parallel or diagonal at 45 degrees to the main direction of movement, should be employed.
• The flat-topped domes or cones should be four to five mm tall. A minimum height of four millimetres is desirable in indoor situations with particularly smooth surfaces, such as polished concrete or terrazzo.
• The top diameter of flat-topped domes or cones should be between 12 and 25 mm.
• The lower base of the flat-topped domes or cones should be 10 mm (+/- 1 mm) larger than the top diameter.

Attention TWSIs are Applied to?

• Platform edges
• Ferry dock edges
• Edges of reflecting pools and fountains unprotected at ground level
• Tops of stairs, at landings where there is a door leading onto the landing
• At landings longer than 2,100 mm where there are no continuous handrails
• Both sides of ground-level railway crossings
• Curb ramps and depressed curbs
• Unprotected edges with a drop-off greater than 250 mm in height
• Entry points to vehicular routes where no curb or other element separates pedestrians from vehicles
• At the beginning of ground-level moving walkways (e.g., used in airport terminals)

Guidance Tactile Walking Surface Indicators

TWSIs for guidance should comprise a pattern of parallel, flat-topped, elongated bars extending in the direction of movement.

Let’s check out the specification for guidance TWSIs -

• Where installed to define a route, their width should be 250 – 300 mm.
• Where installed across a route as an indicator of an amenity or diverging route, their width should be 600 – 650 mm.
• They should have a minimum continuous clearance of 600 mm on both sides.
• The height of the bars should be four to five millimetres.
• The top of the flat-topped elongated bars must have a width between 17 and 30 mm.
• The bars should be colour contrasted with surrounding surfaces to make them easily identifiable by people with low vision.
• The width of the base of the bars must be 10 mm (+/- 1 mm) wider than the top.
• The top length of the bars should be at least 270 mm. If drainage is a concern, a space of 10 – 30 mm should be provided at the ends of the bars.

Guidance TWSIs are Applied to?

• Transit stops
• Train stations
• Subway or light rail transit (LRT) platforms
• Airports
• Sports arenas and stadiums
• Large open spaces (e.g., public squares)
• In the door areas of expansive open areas (e.g., shopping malls)

TWSIs used on road surfaces differ from guide surfaces in pedestrian zones. TWSIs placed on road surfaces at pedestrian crossings should -

• Be configured as a straight path
• Be 250mm - 300mm wide
• Be detectable underfoot
• Be detectable with a long cane
• Be at least 50% colour/brightness contrasted with adjacent road surfaces
• Not present a tripping hazard
• Not present a barrier for persons who use wheelchairs or other types of mobility devices
• Be configured to mitigate damage from snow-plowing

Ending Note

The tactile solutions covered in this guide are obtained from multiple sources like National Building Code of Canada, CAN/CSA B651 Accessible design for the built environment, ISO/FDIS 21542 Building Construction – Accessibility & usability of the built environment and ISO 23599 – Assistive products for blind and vision-impaired persons.

The City of Toronto Accessibility Project explained

As a Certified Distributor of Kinesik & Ecoglo Brands we Make Your Next Project a Huge Success

As a contractor you are responsible for constructing easily accessible buildings and premises for people with physical impairments, you are well-acquainted with tactile indicators and its applications. These are mandatory products in varied materials installed into or onto the ground with raised domes or bars.

Tactile walking surface indicators (TWSI) serve the purpose of giving pedestrians who are blind, or who have vision impairment directional information and warning of hazards to assist with safe navigation. You must follow the code standards and proper installation guidelines. Sometimes, it becomes challenging for contractors to comprehend the installation guidelines, even if they are aware of them. That is where our website comes into the picture. Our website can make it easy for contractors to navigate the codes, the installation guidelines and provides resources to choose the best option

IBI Group has been appointed to Lead TheCity of Toronto Accessibility Project

IBI Group is a globally integrated planning, architecture, engineering, and technology firm with more than 2,600 professionals around the world. They take pride in helping clients create liveable, sustainable, and advanced urban environments.

Retrofitting more than 350 buildings this creates one of the most spectacular opportunities for contractors in Toronto. IBI Group will be responsibleto create plans to introduce accessibility including the introduction of tactile solutions.

IBI Group Approvedour Kinesik and Ecoglo Branded Tactile Products for all these Projects.

IBI Group will be requesting contractors to bid on those projects with a mandatory use of the Kinesik and Ecoglo products for tactile.

Tactile Solutions- is the certified and leading Distributor of Kinesik&EcogloProducts.

If you are bidding on projects of the Toronto Accessibility Project, you'll need the Kinesik and Ecoglo products specified by IBI GROUP which you find with US - we are a licensed nationwide distributor for the Kinesik and Ecoglo products. Browse through our website - use our quote requesting tool or call us.

Tactile Solutions is a leader in providing Canadian business with compliant workplace solutions since 2008. We strive to help contractors find the best and most-effective code-compliant tactile solutions for their projects. We take pride in becoming your ultimate source for code-compliant solutions. Our mission is to provide our customers with accessibility solutions. These solutions are intricately designed to meet all current, federal, provincialand municipal standards.

All products offered on our website meet the most rigorous test requirements and comply with AODA, CSA, ISO, FADS, and IFC standards to ensure you achieve the highest compliance in your projects.

When you need mandatory code-compliant accessibility solutions for the next project you win you can always count on us.

Compliance Solutions Canada, a leader in providing Canadian business with compliant workplace solutions since 2008, now introduces a specialized website helping contractors to find the best and most cost-effective code compliant tactile solution for their projects. This new website is named TactileSolution.ca

By making use of our extensive knowledge of code compliance, this specialized site is “Your Source for Code Compliant Solutions”.

Our Mission is to provide our customers with accessibility solutions that meet all current federal and provincial standards. All products offered meet the most rigorous test requirements and comply with AODA, CSA, ISO, FADS and IFC standards to ensure you achieve the highest compliance in your projects.

Our Tactile Solutions are achieved by the most comprehensive offering of tactile walking surface indicators ranging from cast iron and stainless steel to various engineered polymers and an extensive range of photoluminescent (PLM) exit signs, stair nosing’s and exit path marking.

When you need mandatory code compliant accessibility solutions for any project in Canada, look in our featured solutions or call us.